(Washington) An advisory group of experts appointed by the American secretary for health Robert Kennedy Jr, known for his vaccinosceptic positions, began his work on Wednesday and already faced critics, a nonexistent study being cited in a presentation.
The Consultative Committee on Vaccination Practices (ACIP) is a key body that advises CDCs, forming the country’s main health agency.
The Secretary of Health had recently returned the 17 members of this Advisory Committee by accusing them of conflicts of financial interests and had announced the appointment of eight new heads, including several decree, as a dual -haired biochemist of the Antivax.
On the menu of debates in particular, vaccines containing Thimersal.
This preservative made up of Mercury, used for a long time in vaccines, was removed in 1999 in response to concerns, but remains present in certain flu vaccines.
Its danger has not been demonstrated at low doses. Lyn Redwood, nurse and former owner of Children’s Health Defense, a vaccinosceptic organization co -founded by RFK JR, is due to lead a presentation on this subject on Thursday.
Photo Mariam Zuhaib, Associated Press Archives
The Secretary of Health, Robert F. Kennedy
But scientists have spotted that she quoted, in her slides published upstream, an nonexistent study.
Supposedly titled “neonatal exhibition with low levels of Thimersal: the long -term consequences on the brain”, and dated 2008, it actually exists anywhere.
These slides have since been modified.
Hepatitis B
In the meantime, the meeting opened Wednesday by words from Martin Kulldorff, chairman of the committee, complaining of having been ruled out of Harvard University, where he taught medicine, for refusing to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
He also announced the creation of a new working group to examine the interest of hepatitis B vaccination for newborns-which aroused criticism.
“The interest of a vaccination against hepatitis B of newborns, before leaving maternity, is well documented and established, but it is an old fad of the anti-vaccine movement, so it is not a surprise that it is mentioned,” AMSH Adalja, infectiologist at Johns Hopkins, told AFP.
Likewise, the interest in this panel of experts on Thimersal is criticized.
“Study after study, it has been proven that ethylmercure (present in Thiomersal) contained in these vaccines has never contributed significantly to the large quantity of mercury to which we are exposed by living on this planet,” Paul Offit, expert in Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia, told AFP.
CDCs, which oversee the meeting, ensures that Thiomersal is sure and has no effect on neurological development.
This committee “will become an outlet for anti -vaccin propaganda and will be less and less relevant to the practice of medicine,” said Amesh Adalja before.
Measles epidemic
The committee also looks at infantile vaccines against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox.
In the United States, parents can choose a combined vaccine against the four diseases or two separate injections: one for the first three and one specifically for chickenpox.
Experts appointed by RFK JR could “also look at new research” about the common vaccine, the ROR, “in order to resolve religious objections that parents have” about him, said Martin Kulldorff on Wednesday at the meeting.
Committee’s recommendations may have major consequences, in particular concerning vaccination obligations in schools and reimbursements by health insurance.
RFK JR has been the disinformation relay in recent years on COVVI-19 vaccines as on alleged ties between vaccination and autism, in particular through the organization Children’s Health Defense.
Since his arrival at the head of the American Ministry of Health in February, he has started a deep overhaul of the health authorities.
